Application Guide

How to Apply for Full-Stack Software Engineer, AI Risk Explorer

at Observatorio de Riesgos Catastróficos Globales

🏢 About Observatorio de Riesgos Catastróficos Globales

El Observatorio de Riesgos Catastróficos Globales (ORCG) is a nonprofit building a Spanish-speaking expert network focused on existential and catastrophic risks, with a special emphasis on AI risk. Working here means joining a mission-driven, remote-first team where your engineering directly supports global risk research and policy impact. You'll be part of a small, agile organization where your work has outsized visibility and meaning.

About This Role

As the Full-Stack Software Engineer for the AI Risk Explorer (AIRE), you'll own the technical backbone of a public-facing platform that aggregates and democratizes AI risk information. You'll build interactive dashboards, a user-friendly CMS, automated data pipelines, and vector-based semantic search—all while ensuring performance and scalability. This role is ideal for someone who wants to use full-stack skills to accelerate research and coordination in the AI safety space.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a stand-up with the small team, then diving into code to improve the CMS or debug a data pipeline issue. You could spend time designing a new dashboard feature, optimizing database queries, or integrating a vector search API. You'll collaborate with non-technical staff to understand their content publishing needs and automate workflows, all while keeping performance and scalability in mind.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Observatorio de Riesgos Catastróficos Globales Is Looking For

  • Proven full-stack experience with modern JavaScript/TypeScript frameworks (e.g., React, Next.js) and backend technologies (Node.js, Python, or similar).
  • Hands-on experience with CMS development or customization (e.g., Strapi, Directus, or headless CMS) to empower non-technical users.
  • Familiarity with data pipelines, web scraping, and automation tools (e.g., Airflow, Zapier, or custom scripts) for ingesting and processing diverse data sources.
  • Knowledge of databases (SQL/NoSQL) and vector embeddings for semantic search (e.g., Pinecone, Weaviate, or pgvector).
  • Bonus: Interest in AI risk, existential risk, or prior work in nonprofit or research-oriented environments.

📝 Tips for Applying to Observatorio de Riesgos Catastróficos Globales

1

Highlight any experience building or maintaining public-facing websites with interactive data visualizations—ORCG values transparency and accessibility.

2

Showcase projects where you enabled non-technical users to manage content via a CMS; this is a core pain point they want to solve.

3

Demonstrate familiarity with data pipelines and automation, especially if you've worked with unstructured or diverse data sources.

4

Mention any exposure to vector databases or semantic search; AIRE likely uses these for its risk material discovery.

5

Express a genuine interest in AI risk or existential risk—ORCG is a mission-driven org and cultural fit matters.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your full-stack capabilities and how they align with AIRE's needs (website, CMS, pipelines, automation).", 'Specific examples of building scalable, performant web applications and optimizing for user experience.', 'Experience with data ingestion and processing, especially if it involved automation or handling messy data.', "Your motivation to contribute to AI risk mitigation and why ORCG's Spanish-speaking network resonates with you."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore the ORCG website and any public materials on AIRE to understand the platform's current state and goals.
  • → Read about AI risk and existential risk, especially from Spanish-speaking sources, to align with their mission.
  • → Look into the tech stack ORCG might be using (check job postings or GitHub) to tailor your skills narrative.
  • → Research the team and their backgrounds to understand the organizational culture and communication style.
Visit Observatorio de Riesgos Catastróficos Globales's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Technical architecture decisions for building a scalable CMS that non-technical staff can use.
2 How you would design a semi-automated data pipeline to discover and process AI risk materials from diverse sources.
3 Approaches to implementing semantic search using vector embeddings and optimizing for performance.
4 Strategies for optimizing website performance, especially for interactive dashboards and large databases.
5 Your understanding of AI risk landscape and how AIRE fits into it; be prepared to discuss recent developments.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with a generic resume that doesn't address the specific technical challenges of AIRE (CMS, pipelines, vector search).
  • Neglecting to mention any interest in AI risk or the nonprofit's mission—this is not just another tech job.
  • Overlooking the remote-first context: failing to demonstrate self-motivation, async communication skills, or experience working remotely.

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: October 18, 2026

We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Observatorio de Riesgos Catastróficos Globales!

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